James Schimka, Sr

James Schimka, Sr

Male 1882 - 1940  (58 years)

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  • Name James Schimka 
    Suffix Sr 
    Born 7 Jan 1882  Čermn Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3
    • About the place of birth. A colleague who is from the Czech Republic looked over the historical documents that I have found and assisted with the place names as they exist today. To the best of our knowledge, this is the correct place of birth. However, it is important to note that during the span of time encompassing the immigration, the area was a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
    James Schimka Death Certificate
    James Schimka Death Certificate
    The death certificate of James Schimka Sr. in Elgin, Kane County, Illinois.
    Gender Male 
    Also Known As James Schimka was originally Vaclav Simka (accent marks ommitted - see image of name). Early documents from ships passenger manifests to naturalization records show a wavering between names, including various spellings, but a quick adoption of the name James is evident. The name Vaclav originates from an older form of the name, Venceslav, which when taken in its parts, vence = wreaths (plural) and slav = celebration (masculine form), slava = celebration (feminine form), means, "wreaths designed for celebrations." Vaclav was probably a common name given in honor of Saint Vaclav, also known as Wenceslas, who was a 10th century duke of Bohemia murdered by his brother. Several Bohemian Kings have also born the name. Saint Vaclav is the patron saint of the Czech Republic. Some early records in America for James Schimka Sr. also bear the name Wenceslaus or Wenceslas. How James was chosen, we do not know but, there are no easy variations or conversions of Vaclav in the English language, so we can speculate that the name James was simply adopted due to the difficulty presented by the foreign sounding name of Vaclav in his new homeland. The pronunciation of Simka is as we pronounce Schimka today.  [4
    James (Vaclav Simka) Schimka Declaration of Intention Report
    James (Vaclav Simka) Schimka Declaration of Intention Report
    This is a report of Declarations of Intention to become a naturalized citizen provided by an online search feature of the Records and Archives department of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois.
    http://www.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org/?section=RecArchivePage&RecArchivePage=6000
    James (Vaclav Simka) Schimka Declaration of Intention
    James (Vaclav Simka) Schimka Declaration of Intention
    This is a copy of the actual Declaration of Intention to become a citizen of the United States of America.
    James Schimka Sr original name spelling
    James Schimka Sr original name spelling
    James Schimka Sr original name spelling
    Immigration 16 Nov 1912  Bremen, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location  [4, 5
    Departure from Bremen, Germany for New York. 
    James Schimka Sr. Ship Manifest
    James Schimka Sr. Ship Manifest
    James Schimka Sr. and family listed on the manifest for the vessel, S.S. George Washington arriving at Ellis Island in 1912.
    Page 1 of 2.
    James Schimka Sr. Ship Manifest
    James Schimka Sr. Ship Manifest
    James Schimka Sr. and family listed on the manifest for the vessel, S.S. George Washington arriving at Ellis Island in 1912.
    Page 2 of 2.
    Immigration 25 Nov 1912  Ellis Island, New York, New York Find all individuals with events at this location  [6, 7
    Arrives in the United States of America aboard the vessel, S.S. George Washington. 
    James Schimka Petition for Naturalization
    James Schimka Petition for Naturalization
    James Schimka and family Petition for Naturalization
    James Schimka Sr. Ship Manifest
    James Schimka Sr. Ship Manifest
    James Schimka Sr. and family listed on the manifest for the vessel, S.S. George Washington arriving at Ellis Island in 1912.
    Page 1 of 2.
    James Schimka Sr. Ship Manifest
    James Schimka Sr. Ship Manifest
    James Schimka Sr. and family listed on the manifest for the vessel, S.S. George Washington arriving at Ellis Island in 1912.
    Page 2 of 2.
    Naturalization 16 Feb 1917  Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    Declaration of Intention 
    Age: 34 
    Address:
    Des Plaines, IL 
    • Declaration Number: 62533
    James (Vaclav Simka) Schimka Declaration of Intention Report
    James (Vaclav Simka) Schimka Declaration of Intention Report
    This is a report of Declarations of Intention to become a naturalized citizen provided by an online search feature of the Records and Archives department of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois.
    http://www.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org/?section=RecArchivePage&RecArchivePage=6000
    James (Vaclav Simka) Schimka Declaration of Intention
    James (Vaclav Simka) Schimka Declaration of Intention
    This is a copy of the actual Declaration of Intention to become a citizen of the United States of America.
    Residence 7 Feb 1920  Thacker St, Des Plaines, Cook County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  [8
    James Schimka 1920 Census
    James Schimka 1920 Census
    James Schimka enumerated on the 1920 Census in Cook County, Illinois page 1 of 2.
    James Schimka 1920 Census
    James Schimka 1920 Census
    James Schimka and family enumerated on the 1920 Census in Cook County, Illinois pg 2 of 2.
    Naturalization 23 Jan 1923  Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  [9
    Affidavit to replace lost naturalization application forms 
    James Schimka - Affidavit for issuing new naturalization paper in lieu of one lost or destroyed.
    James Schimka - Affidavit for issuing new naturalization paper in lieu of one lost or destroyed.
    On 23 January 1923 James Schimka Sr requested a new copy of his naturalization application forms and stated on an affidavit for this purpose that the original copies, "were destroyed by children, efforts to find same having been made by searching through all personal affects and household but unable to locate same."
    Naturalization 19 Apr 1923  Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    Petition for Naturalization 
    • Petition No: 55250
    James Schimka Petition for Naturalization
    James Schimka Petition for Naturalization
    James Schimka and family Petition for Naturalization
    Naturalization 28 Sep 1923  Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  [10
    (A) Oath of Allegiance 
    James Schimka Oath of Allegiance
    James Schimka Oath of Allegiance
    The Oath of Allegiance for the process of becoming a naturalized citizen of The United States of America.
    Naturalization 28 Sep 1923  Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  [9
    (B) Certificate Number: 1777486 
    James Schimka Sr Certificate of Naturalization
    James Schimka Sr Certificate of Naturalization
    This is the Certificate of Naturalization for James Schimka Sr and eight of his children. The eldest four children were born overseas and the remaining four who had been born by this time were all born in Illinois.
    Residence 2 Apr 1930  1064 Thacker St, Des Plaines, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  [11
    James Schimka 1930 Census
    James Schimka 1930 Census
    James Schimka and family on the 1930 Census including his oldest son, also named James, married to his first wife, Lydia.
    Residence 10 Apr 1940  750 South State Street, Elgin, Kane County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  [12
    Elgin State Hospital 
    James Schimka Sr., 1940 Census, Kane County, Illinois.
    James Schimka Sr., 1940 Census, Kane County, Illinois.
    On this date, James Sr. was enumerated at the Elgin State Hospital. Only 7 days later he was enumerated at his home in Des Plaines but it is uncertain at this time whether he had actually left the hospital. When James died, three months later, information on his death certificate stated that he had been at the hospital for two years.
    Residence 17 Apr 1940  1064 Thacker St, Des Plaines, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  [12
    James Schimka Sr. family, 1940 Census, Des Plaines, Illinois.
    James Schimka Sr. family, 1940 Census, Des Plaines, Illinois.
    Died 29 Jul 1940  750 South State Street, Elgin, Kane County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  [13
    Agency: Elgin State Hospital 
    James Schimka Death Certificate
    James Schimka Death Certificate
    The death certificate of James Schimka Sr. in Elgin, Kane County, Illinois.
    Buried 1 Aug 1940  Bohemian National Cemetery, Chicago, Cook, IL, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [14
    James Schimka Death Certificate
    James Schimka Death Certificate
    The death certificate of James Schimka Sr. in Elgin, Kane County, Illinois.
    Bohemian National Cemetery
    Bohemian National Cemetery
    The entry at Bohemian National Cemetery. Bohemian National was added as a national historical site at the cemetery's centennial in 1977.
    James Schimka and Anna Frana-Schimka Headstone at Bohemian National Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois.
    James Schimka and Anna Frana-Schimka Headstone at Bohemian National Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois.
    Person ID I113  Schimka Family Tree
    Last Modified 7 Jun 2012 

    Father Schimka 
    Mother Anna 
    Family ID F86  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Anna Frana,   b. 24 Jul 1883, Tu Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 12 Jan 1947, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 63 years) 
    Married Abt 1902  Austria Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. James Schimka, Jr,   b. 15 Dec 1903, N Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 21 Jul 1957, Des Plaines, Cook County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 53 years)
     2. Joseph Schimka, Sr,   b. 24 Jul 1907, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 29 Jul 1970, Des Plaines, Cook County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 63 years)
     3. Carl Schimka,   b. 25 Feb 1909, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 11 Apr 1984, Park Ridge, Cook County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 75 years)
    +4. Frances Schimka,   b. 30 Jun 1911, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location
     5. Anthony Schimka,   b. 16 Nov 1915, Des Plaines, Cook County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 17 Jul 1976, Des Plaines, Cook County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 60 years)
    +6. John Schimka,   b. 17 Apr 1919, Des Plaines, Cook County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 25 Jan 1961, St. Pete Beach, Pinellas County, Florida Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 41 years)
     7. Mary Schimka,   b. 28 Apr 1919, Des Plaines, Cook County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 2 Aug 1988, Des Plaines, Cook County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 69 years)
    +8. Edward Schimka,   b. 22 Mar 1922, Des Plaines, Cook County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 23 Dec 1967, 100 North River Road, Des Plaines, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 45 years)
     9. Helen Schimka,   b. 9 Jul 1925, Des Plaines, Cook County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 2 Oct 2002, Melrose Park, Cook County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 77 years)
    Photos
    S.S. George Washingtion
    S.S. George Washingtion
    SS George Washington, the ship that carried the Schimka Family to the United States in 1912.
    S.S. George Washingtion Post Card post World War I
    S.S. George Washingtion Post Card post World War I
    A post card of the SS George Washington, one of the largest passenger ships of its time. After World War I the S.S. George Washington was taken over by the United States Lines and passenger service resumed.
    USS George Washington
    USS George Washington
    USS George Washington. This is likely a post 1917 photo. The SS George Washington was siezed by United States Lines in 1917 and served as a troop carrier during WWII. The writing on the photo is likely that of a soldier at the end of WWI or WWII.
    The Schimka Family
    The Schimka Family
    A portrait of the Schimka family shortly after arriving in The United States of America.
    James Schimka Sr. Standing in the back.
    Unknown Woman sitting on the left (In White).
    Anna Frana-Schimka sitting on the right (In Black).
    Carl Schimka standing in the middle (In White).
    Frances Schimka standing on right.
    James Schimka Jr. lying on the ground at the left.
    Joseph Schimka lying on the ground at the right.
    Documents
    James Schimka Petition for Naturalization
    James Schimka Petition for Naturalization
    James Schimka and family Petition for Naturalization
    James Schimka 1957 Death Certificate
    James Schimka 1957 Death Certificate
    John Schimka's 1919 Baptism
    John Schimka's 1919 Baptism
    Carl Schimka's Social Security Application
    Carl Schimka's Social Security Application
    Joseph Schimka's Social Security Application
    Joseph Schimka's Social Security Application
    Family ID F85  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 7 Jan 1882 - Čermn Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - Abt 1902 - Austria Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsImmigration - Arrives in the United States of America aboard the vessel, S.S. George Washington. - 25 Nov 1912 - Ellis Island, New York, New York Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsNaturalization - Declaration of Intention,Age: 34,Address:
    Des Plaines, IL - 16 Feb 1917 - Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois
    Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 7 Feb 1920 - Thacker St, Des Plaines, Cook County, Illinois Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsNaturalization - Affidavit to replace lost naturalization application forms - 23 Jan 1923 - Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsNaturalization - Petition for Naturalization - 19 Apr 1923 - Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsNaturalization - (A) Oath of Allegiance - 28 Sep 1923 - Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsNaturalization - (B) Certificate Number: 1777486 - 28 Sep 1923 - Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 2 Apr 1930 - 1064 Thacker St, Des Plaines, Illinois Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Elgin State Hospital - 10 Apr 1940 - 750 South State Street, Elgin, Kane County, Illinois Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 17 Apr 1940 - 1064 Thacker St, Des Plaines, Illinois Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - Agency: Elgin State Hospital - 29 Jul 1940 - 750 South State Street, Elgin, Kane County, Illinois Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - 1 Aug 1940 - Bohemian National Cemetery, Chicago, Cook, IL, United States Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 
    Pin Legend  : Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  • Photos
    James Schimka Sr. Portrait
    James Schimka Sr. Portrait
    This is a photo of James Schimka Sr. shortly after arrival in The United States of America. This photo is cropped from a family portrait.
    The Schimka Family
    The Schimka Family
    A portrait of the Schimka family shortly after arriving in The United States of America.
    James Schimka Sr. Standing in the back.
    Unknown Woman sitting on the left (In White).
    Anna Frana-Schimka sitting on the right (In Black).
    Carl Schimka standing in the middle (In White).
    Frances Schimka standing on right.
    James Schimka Jr. lying on the ground at the left.
    Joseph Schimka lying on the ground at the right.
    James Schimka Sr.
    James Schimka Sr.
    James Schimka Sr. with his working team in Des Plaines, Illinois.

    Documents
    James Schimka Oath of Allegiance
    James Schimka Oath of Allegiance
    The Oath of Allegiance for the process of becoming a naturalized citizen of The United States of America.

  • Notes 
    • Known Address: 1064 Thacker St, Des Plaines, Illinois
    • James Schimka Sr had Bronchoneumonia for three days. He died at 1:30 AM at the Elgin State Hospital at 750 So. State St., Elgin, Illinois.

      The Vessel George Washington

      Built by A/G Vulcan Shipyard, Stettin, Germany, 1909. 25570 gross tons; 723 (bp) feet long; 72 feet wide. Steam quadruple expansion engines, twin screw. Service speed 18 1/2 knots. 2679 passengers ( 568 first class, 433 second class, 1678 third class ).

      Built for North German Lloyd, German flag, in 1909 and named George Washington. Bremerhaven-New York service. Interned at New York at the start of World War I in 1914. Seized by United States Lines, in 1917 and renamed USS George Washington. Also Bremerhaven-New York service. Assigned to United States Lines; began Bremerhaven-NY sailings 1921. Laid up Additional Arrivals, in 1932. Renamed Caitlin in 1940. Refitted as troopship in 1940; World War II service. Reverted to George Washington. Completely destroyed by a fire at Baltimore; wreckage scrapped in 1951.
    • While in Germany, the Schimka family may have lived in town called Castrop-Rauxel which is a former mining city in the eastern part of the Ruhr Area.

  • Sources 
    1. [S1064] Immigration and Naturalization Records, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, IL.
      Declaration of Intention

    2. [S1064] Immigration and Naturalization Records, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, IL.
      Petition for Naturalization

    3. [S1066] The Ellis Island Archives, American Family Immigration History Center (AFIHC).
      First Name: Wenzel
      Last Name: Schimcka
      Ethnicity: Austria, Bohemian
      Last Place of Residence: Germany
      Date of Arrival: Nov 25, 1912
      Age at Arrival: 30y Gender: M Marital Status: M
      Ship of Travel: George Washington
      Port of Departure: Bremen
      Manifest Line Number: 0003
      Note the name spelling Wenzel Schimcka. Be sure to use THAT spelling when searching at EllisIsland.org.

    4. [S1064] Immigration and Naturalization Records, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, IL.

    5. [S753] List or Manifest of Alien Immigrants for the Commissioner of Immigration, Commissioner of Immigration.

    6. [S1064] Immigration and Naturalization Records, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, IL, Petition No: 55250.
      Petition for Naturalization
      Vaclav Simka, also known as, James Schimka . . . "I emmigrated to the United States from Bremen, Germany on or about the 16 November anno domini 1912, and arrived in the United States, at the port of New York, on the 25 day of November anno domini 1912, on the vessel George Washington . . .

    7. [S753] List or Manifest of Alien Immigrants for the Commissioner of Immigration, Commissioner of Immigration.
      The Schimka family listed as passengers on the S.S. George Washington upon arrival at Ellis Island, New York, New York.

    8. [S1048] 1920 U.S. Census, Department of Commerce and Labor - Bureau of the Census.

    9. [S1090] U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

    10. [S1064] Immigration and Naturalization Records, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, IL, 28 Sep 1923.
      Oath of Allegiance
      The court admitted the petitioner and noted the name change from Vaclav Simka to James Schimka.

    11. [S1049] 1930 U.S. Census, Department of Commerce and Labor - Bureau of the Census .

    12. [S1147] 1940 U.S. Census, Department of Commerce and Labor - Bureau of the Census.

    13. [S1064] Immigration and Naturalization Records, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, IL.
      Date and place of death are shown on the Death Certificate.

    14. [S1064] Immigration and Naturalization Records, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, IL.
      Date and place of burial are shown on the death certificate.